No revenge agenda for confident White Ferns

Posted Monday, 27 February, 2006 in International News

White Ferns captain Haidee Tiffen is not out for revenge from India in the One-Day International series against India beginning this week.The team begin their five-match campaign at Lincoln’s Bert Sutcliffe Oval with new coach Steve Jenkin, who led Australia to last year’s World Cup title in India.

The White Ferns, the reigning champion, had their hopes of retaining the crown ended at the semi-final stage.

But Tiffen, who replaces Maia Lewis as skipper, did not feel the team was seeking retribution from their opponents.

She said: “It was disappointing at the time, at the World Cup, but we’re not too focused on that. We just want to play the game how we want and achieve what we want to do. We can’t change the past.

Tiffen again suffered disappointment with State Canterbury Magicians in this year’s State League.

The Magicians, perennial champions in the competition, again topped the League table this season but were defeated on their home patch in the Final by State Central Stags.

However, Tiffen believed the result showed the increased competition in the League, which was healthy for the White Ferns.

“We were pleased about how the season went, not the final, obviously,” she said “It’s just one game. But it shows that any one team in the League can beat any other.

“We want competition in New Zealand. We want players to be under pressure all the time. It’s really good for New Zealand women’s cricket that there’s no one team that is easy beat.

The series will be the White Ferns’ first under Jenkin, a familiar face to the veterans in the side, having led the Australian side before crossing the ditch.

Tiffen said: “He played against us for years. He’s really positive, he brings some of that Australian confidence, and it’s soaking into the players. It’s an exciting time.

“It’s great to have some fresh ideas and a new approach. All the girls are really positive.”